Boylan Heights Neighborhood

 Meeting Minutes
08/26/03

Paul Meyer – Call to Order at Dawson Rourke and Lea Davis’ house at 713 Dorthea Drive with 17 people in attendance

Neighborhood Watch – Deanna K.

• General Discussion of recent activity
• Presentation of crime statistics (handout) with focus on drug-related activity
• Paul Meyer is assigned to set up a separate meeting with the incoming captain and possibly the chief RE: N’Watch and Police Response.  Potential topics for that discussion include the drug activity, response time, the problem of the districts being split in the neighborhood and thus much “fringe activity”, and dog fighting.  BHA Officers will attend the meeting.

Traffic Calming – Paul M.

• Neighborhood given four days by B. Kirkman to make recommendations
• The officers of BHA met and agreed upon recommendations based on the criteria outlined by the study commission and the general discussion of the topic at the July BHA meeting (accident prone areas, paths that serve as a cut-through, propensity for speeding, and pedestrian traffic)
• Recommendations were conveyed to Kirkman.  They include the streets east of Boylan Avenue, highlighting the cut-throughs and pedestrian traffic near Project Enlightenment, as well as the S. Saunders-Dorothea-Boylan-Western cut through.

Discussion of Changes to the By Laws for BHA

All proposed changes were accepted, with the exception of the following account of items in controversy.

On the time and place of BHA meetings:

• There was general discussion about the pros and cons of various proposals
• The discussion coalesced around three distinct proposals

1.  The fourth Tuesday of the month

2.  Convenient to the group provided that the time and place was announced at least six months in advance

3.  On two different days – say the fourth Tuesday or the fourth Thursday – of the month alternating month to month

• There was a motion made and seconded to approve the first proposal provided that notice was provided
• Motion carried by voice vote

On Election of the Officers:

• There was discussion that coalesced around 4 proposals; in addition a general question was posed without resolution about how to certify voters (if the election was at a large gathering)

1.  Change the election from May to mid-summer

2.  Change the election from May to September

3.  Change the election from May to the “annual party in July or August”

4.  Change the election from May to the “annual summer event where new officers will assume office at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the neighborhood association”

• A motion was made and seconded in favor of the fourth proposal.  A reading of the motion was made in order that everyone knew what they were voting on.  The vote carried by voice.  A call of the roll was made and the motion was approved by a vote of 16 to 1.

On Article III (d) of the current bylaws:

• A motion was made to affirm existing bylaws language
• The motion was inconclusive by voice vote
• A call of the roll was made, and the motion was approved to keep the language related to Roberts’ Rules of Order unamended.

On the remaining proposed changes:

• A motion was made to accept the changes proposed on the website from Article IV forward; the motion was seconded
• An amendment to the motion was made; the amendment called for voting on changes in individual sections of Article IV.
• The amendment failed by voice vote.
• There was an additional amendment to the motion made to discuss changes in individual sections of Article V.  The amendment failed to carry by voice vote.
• A division was requested, and the vote on the amendment to the motion failed to carry 13 to 2
• Then returning to the original motion to accept the proposed changes from Article IV forward, the motion passed on a vote of 13-2.

The changes will then be voted on again at the September BHA meeting.

Information on neighborhood park areas

 Kent L. gave information about requests for proposals to improve the park-like areas at the entryways of the neighborhood

 Website Committee

•  Chris W. provided an update on the committee’s work to date.  The website debuted on July 20; webmaster is Jeff G.; the committee chair is Chris W.
• There are now photo areas on the website.  A) Pets B) Gardens C) Historic Photos
• Dan Becker was extremely helpful as to changes in the photo gallery concerning architectural styles. 
• The committee has nine subcommittees i.e. History, Forum, Trivia on Boylan Heights, A web version of the BH Directory (forthcoming), Main, Current Events, BHA Activities, BH Business Info, and Volunteering.
• The committee meets monthly on the third Tuesday
• In the offering is a monthly safety tip and potentially creating a “trading post”

Demolition by Neglect

• The home at 501 Cutler Street has had work started as of August 25th
• A letter of thanks will go to the people who were on the list last year and who began improvements

Building Activities at Boylan and Dorothea

Steve Jellicorse has plans to build on three Boylan Avenue properties.  His proposal is on the agenda of the October 6th Historic Districts Commission.

Renovation Solutions

Paul has gift certificates available for anyone who would like it from Susan Solackian who runs Renovation Solutions Inc.

Fundraising for BHA

There was a good party.  We will have a report of the accounting and balances of the accounts at the next meeting.

Etc.

The website committee will put a survey up on the website to solicit new ideas for fundraising

Moved and seconded to adjourn.

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